Josiah Duggar 'officially courting' Lauren Swanson

"It's truly an exciting time for us," the television personality said.

Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Josiah Duggar announced Tuesday that he is "officially courting."

The 21-year-old television personality confirmed his relationship with family friend Lauren Swanson in a video on the TLCme website.

"We are officially courting now," Swanson said with a smile.

"I came up behind her at a meal while she was hanging out with some of my siblings and surprised her and sat down. I asked her to go to the next level of friendship to courtship and she said yes," Duggar shared.

Duggar, the eighth of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 children, said he and Swanson have "similar" families with shared goals. He and Swanson have been friends for "a while" and spend "a lot" of time together.

"For us, a courtship means just really a good time for us to focus on different things and learn more about each other, with the goal of marriage in mind," the star explained. "Learning, 'Hey, is this really the one?'"

Duggar said in an interview with People that he and Swanson are "overjoyed to begin this new phase" of their lives together.

"It's truly an exciting time for us, as we take this big step in establishing a relationship, getting to know one another even better and praying toward our future," he said. "We are thankful to God and our families for the love and support."

Duggar and his family came to fame on the TLC series 19 Kids & Counting, and now star on Jill & Jessa: Counting On. His sister Jinger Duggar announced this month that she's expecting her first child with Jeremy Vuolo.